Cilostazol

Pronunciation

Brand Names

Therapeutic Categories

What is this medicine used for?

• This medicine is used for pain and cramping in the legs when walking. This is called intermittent claudication. It may take up to 3 months to see improvement.

How does it work?

• Cilostazol increases blood flow to the legs. It makes blood in parts more flexible and thins the blood's thickness.

How is it best taken?

• Take on an empty stomach. Take 30 minutes before meals or 2 hours after meals.
• Avoid grapefruit and grapefruit juice within 2 hours of using medicine.

What do I do if I miss a dose?

• Take a missed dose as soon as possible.
• If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed one. Return to your regular schedule.
• Do not take a double dose or extra doses.

What are the precautions when taking this medicine?

• If you are 65 or older, you may have more side effects.
• Avoid alcohol (includes wine, beer, and liquor). Can cause stomach irritation.
• Do not use if you have a weakened heart. Talk with healthcare provider.
• If you have had a stomach ulcer or bleeding tell healthcare provider.
• Avoid other aspirin-containing products, such as, ibuprofen or like products, other blood thinners (warfarin, ticlopidine, clopidogrel), garlic, ginseng, ginkgo, vitamin E.
• You will bleed easily. Be careful. Avoid injury.
• Tell dentists, surgeons, and other healthcare providers about this medicine.
• Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, throat; or any other symptoms involved.
• Do not use in pregnancy and do not get pregnant. Use birth control that you can trust while taking this medicine.

What are the common side effects of this medicine?

• Headache. Mild pain medicine may help.
• Diarrhea.
• Rapid heartbeats.
• Dizziness is common. Avoid driving, doing other tasks or hobbies that require you to be alert until you see how this medicine affects you.

What should I monitor?

• Follow up with healthcare provider.

Reasons to call healthcare provider immediately

• Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing; tightness in the chest; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Severe headache.
• Any rash.
• No improvement in condition or feeling worse.

How should I store this medicine?

• Store in a tight, light-resistant container at room temperature.

General statements

• Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's medicine.
• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
• Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, herbal/supplements, vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider (doctor, nurse, pharmacist, physician assistant).
• Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine, including over-the-counter or natural products (herbs, vitamins).

Copyright © 1978-2000 Lexi-Comp Inc. All Rights Reserved